title: Quantitative LC-MS/MS analysis of seven ginsenosides and three aconitum alkaloids in Shen-Fu decoction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Shen-Fu decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with a 3:2 ratio of Radix Ginseng and Fuzi (Radix Aconiti lateralis praeparata). Ginsenosides and alkaloids are considered to be the main active components of Shen-Fu decoction. However, no analytical methods have been used to quantitatively analyse both components in Shen-Fu decoction simultaneously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We successfully developed a rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous analysis of seven ginsenosides and three aconitum alkaloids in Shen-Fu decoction, the decoction of Radix ginseng and Fuzi (Radix Aconiti lateralis praeparata). Chromatogrpahic separation by RPLC was achieved using a reversed-phase column and a water/acetonitrile mobile phase, containing 0.05% formic acid and using a gradient system. The method was optimized to allow for simultaneous analysis of all analytes in 11minutes without the need for baseline resolution of the components. Furthermore, the separation demonstrated good linearity (r > 0.9882), repeatability (RSD < 7.01%), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD < 5.06%) and high yields of recovery (91.13-111.97%) for ten major constituents, namely ginsenoside-Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rd, Rf, aconitine, hypacoitine and mesaconitine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The developed method could be used as a rapid and reliable approach for assessment of the quantity of the major constituents in Shen-Fu decoction.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China. maguizhi000@sina.com.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Mingtao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Ruifan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guizhi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Deqiang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dou